Winning bid for Texas A&M plate hits six-figures

Updated 1:46 pm, Thursday, September 12, 2013

A Texazs A&M bid $115,000 for the rights to own this '12THMAN" license plate. Keep clicking to see what other things could have been bought with that kind of dough.

A Texazs A&M bid $115,000 for the rights to own this '12THMAN" license plate. Keep clicking to see what other things could have been bought with that kind of dough.

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You could buy the 27 best tickets on StubHub for the upcoming Texas A&M-Alabama game. That would cost a mere $32,000.

You could buy the 27 best tickets on StubHub for the upcoming Texas A&M-Alabama game. That would cost a mere $32,000.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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You could buy the new Corvette Stingray. Actually, you could buy two for the winning price. The new sports car costs $53,000 for the base model.

You could buy the new Corvette Stingray. Actually, you could buy two for the winning price. The new sports car costs $53,000 for the base model.

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If you like the Texans more, you could spend the money and take 1,331 of your closest friends to a game at Reliant.

If you like the Texans more, you could spend the money and take 1,331 of your closest friends to a game at Reliant.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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You could also buy a Porsche also. The base model costs $52,600 so why not make it two?

You could also buy a Porsche also. The base model costs $52,600 so why not make it two?

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Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been accused of selling autographs for $50 a pop. If he really was, you could buy 2,300 Johnny Football signatures.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been accused of selling autographs for $50 a pop. If he really was, you could buy 2,300 Johnny Football signatures.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

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If you were looking to save $11,000, you could buy the Maserati Quattroporte for $104,000.

If you were looking to save $11,000, you could buy the Maserati Quattroporte for $104,000.

Photo: Michele Tantussi, Bloomberg News

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Why spend money on a plate when you could buy gasoline? The $115,000 bid could buy 34,534 gallons of gasoline.

Why spend money on a plate when you could buy gasoline? The $115,000 bid could buy 34,534 gallons of gasoline.

Photo: Gene J. Puskar

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You could almost buy a home in College Station.

You could almost buy a home in College Station.

Photo: Andy Dean Photography

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You could buy lunch (three meats, two sides) for 9,583 family and friends at C&J Barbeque.

You could buy lunch (three meats, two sides) for 9,583 family and friends at C&J Barbeque.

Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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You could pay the $9 entry fee for 12,777 adult friends to the George H.W. Bush presidential library near the A&M campus and see images like this family portrait in 1964 Houston.

You could pay the $9 entry fee for 12,777 adult friends to the George H.W. Bush presidential library near the A&M campus and see images like this family portrait in 1964 Houston.

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You could stay for nearly an entire year in The Villa at the Bryan-College Station area's Messina Hof Winery (at $320 a night). You could also buy 2,613 bottles of their Merlot.

You could stay for nearly an entire year in The Villa at the Bryan-College Station area's Messina Hof Winery (at $320 a night). You could also buy 2,613 bottles of their Merlot.

Photo: Hessina Hoff

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You could buy really nice hoodies for about 2,000 of your closest fellow Aggies.

You could buy really nice hoodies for about 2,000 of your closest fellow Aggies.

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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And speaking of custom license plates, we think the following fictitious Texas license plates would be pretty fitting of a few of Texas' most famous athletes ....

And speaking of custom license plates, we think the following fictitious Texas license plates would be pretty fitting of a few of Texas' most famous athletes ....

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Foster gives a respectful namaste bow after scoring a touchdown. It seems only right that he get this plate.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Foster gives a respectful namaste bow after scoring a touchdown. It seems only right that he get this plate.

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Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Johnson has battled a variety of injuries over the past few years, but he still believes he can be an elite receiver in the NFL.

Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Johnson has battled a variety of injuries over the past few years, but he still believes he can be an elite receiver in the NFL.

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Case Keenum, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Keenum broke nearly every college quarterback record while attending the University of Houston. oh, he wears No. 7.

Case Keenum, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Keenum broke nearly every college quarterback record while attending the University of Houston. oh, he wears No. 7.

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Clyde Drexler, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Drexler got the nickname for the way he could glide through the air. He should also own it on the road.

Clyde Drexler, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Drexler got the nickname for the way he could glide through the air. He should also own it on the road.

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Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Biggio was one of three members of the Killer B's. He played numerous positions for the club.

Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Biggio was one of three members of the Killer B's. He played numerous positions for the club.

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Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Morey is pushing hard to get free agent Dwight Howard to come to the Rockets.

Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Morey is pushing hard to get free agent Dwight Howard to come to the Rockets.

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David Carr, Houston Texans

Why it fits: This might be a bit unfair on our part, but it might be the plate Texans fans would pick for Carr.

David Carr, Houston Texans

Why it fits: This might be a bit unfair on our part, but it might be the plate Texans fans would pick for Carr.

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Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

Why it fits: Howard is still deciding what state to register his car in, but Houston fans are hoping he picks this plate.

Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers

Why it fits: Howard is still deciding what state to register his car in, but Houston fans are hoping he picks this plate.

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Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Kubiak has spent years with the Texans, and he's built them into a Super Bowl contender. Now, he has to make the most of his time.

Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Kubiak has spent years with the Texans, and he's built them into a Super Bowl contender. Now, he has to make the most of his time.

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Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Olajuwon was a dream player for an organization. He also help the Rockets win an NBA championship.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Olajuwon was a dream player for an organization. He also help the Rockets win an NBA championship.

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James Harden, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Harden has the best beard in the NBA. If he doesn't, who does?

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Harden has the best beard in the NBA. If he doesn't, who does?

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Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Bagwell's career had some highs and lows, but Astros fans are likely missing him.

Jeff Bagwell, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Bagwell's career had some highs and lows, but Astros fans are likely missing him.

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Jeremy Lin, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Lin got this nickname while playing for the New York Knicks.

Jeremy Lin, Houston Rockets

Why it fits: Lin got this nickname while playing for the New York Knicks.

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Jim Crane, Houston Astros

Why it fits:Crane is trying to rebuild the Astros into a contender. He just needs time, right?

Jim Crane, Houston Astros

Why it fits:Crane is trying to rebuild the Astros into a contender. He just needs time, right?

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J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Watt could get numerous license plates, but the "milk man" seems the most fitting.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Watt could get numerous license plates, but the "milk man" seems the most fitting.

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Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Why it fits: Manziel won the Heisman last year. Does that mean he earned this plate?

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Why it fits: Manziel won the Heisman last year. Does that mean he earned this plate?

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Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Altuve isn't likely saying this outloud, but he might be wishing it.

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Altuve isn't likely saying this outloud, but he might be wishing it.

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Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Why it fits: Sumlin has made a career of taking under performing teams and making them into contenders. Need evidence? You just need to look at his rookie season at Texas A&M.

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Why it fits: Sumlin has made a career of taking under performing teams and making them into contenders. Need evidence? You just need to look at his rookie season at Texas A&M.

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Lance Armstrong, cyclist

Why it fits: Armstrong denied doping for years, but he recently came clean.

Lance Armstrong, cyclist

Why it fits: Armstrong denied doping for years, but he recently came clean.

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Lance Berkman, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Berkman was the king of Houston until he left. He's probably missing Minute Maid Park's friendly surroundings too.

Lance Berkman, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Berkman was the king of Houston until he left. He's probably missing Minute Maid Park's friendly surroundings too.

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Mack Brown, University of Texas

Why it fits: Brown is a Longhorn icon, but he'll be under some heavy pressure this year.

Mack Brown, University of Texas

Why it fits: Brown is a Longhorn icon, but he'll be under some heavy pressure this year.

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Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills

Why it fits: Williams made a name for himself in Houston, but he left for a fat paycheck in Buffalo. He didn't perform well though.

Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills

Why it fits: Williams made a name for himself in Houston, but he left for a fat paycheck in Buffalo. He didn't perform well though.

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Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Schaub has proven himself as a legit NFL quarterback and someone who can lead the Texans to the Super Bowl.

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Schaub has proven himself as a legit NFL quarterback and someone who can lead the Texans to the Super Bowl.

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Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Ryan is likely one of the most beloved former Astros. His son is even running the franchise now.

Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros

Why it fits: Ryan is likely one of the most beloved former Astros. His son is even running the franchise now.

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Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Clemens was cleared of using performance-enhancing drugs while pitching in the major leagues. He has consistently said he didn't use steroids.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Why it fits: Clemens was cleared of using performance-enhancing drugs while pitching in the major leagues. He has consistently said he didn't use steroids.

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Vince Young, out of work

Why it fits: Young is out of the NFL and looking for work. Doesn't it fit?

Vince Young, out of work

Why it fits: Young is out of the NFL and looking for work. Doesn't it fit?

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Bob McNair, Houston Texans

Why it fits: He's helped build the Texans into a contender, letting fans forget about the Oilers' departure.

Bob McNair, Houston Texans

Why it fits: He's helped build the Texans into a contender, letting fans forget about the Oilers' departure.

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Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin shakes hand with fans along the sidelines at Kyle Field during the Aggies football game against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in College Station.

Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin shakes hand with fans along the sidelines at Kyle Field during the Aggies football game against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in College Station.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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The east stands at Kyle Field are packed with fans as the Texas A&M Aggies face Sam Houston State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in College Station.

The east stands at Kyle Field are packed with fans as the Texas A&M Aggies face Sam Houston State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in College Station.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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Texas A&M and Texas fans cheer during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Kyle Field Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in College Station. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Texas A&M and Texas fans cheer during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Kyle Field Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in College Station. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Brett Coomer, HC Staff

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Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is greeted by fans after the Aggies beat Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Kyle Field in College Station.

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is greeted by fans after the Aggies beat Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Kyle Field in College Station.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

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Winning bid for Texas A&M plate hits six-figures

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A lucky Aggie fan bought the "12THMAN" plate for a record amount.

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee purchased the plate for $115,000 during an online auction that ended today, according to Kim Miller Drummond said. The amount broke the previous record for a specialty plate of $25,000 for "HOUSTON" at the Houston Auto Show.

Drummond said Buzbee plans to give the plate away to an Iraqi war veteran.

The specialty plate will be presented to Buzbee during the Texas A&M-Alabama game on Saturday.

Whoever gets the plate can own it for life, according to the terms and conditions. The plate will be valid for 10 years and the owner will have first right of renewal.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Texas general revenue fund and Texas A&M University.